Dunbia keen to secure business in China

Northern Irish meat giant Dunbia has China marked as a priority market for its exports as it looks to grow its international business.

The company, which exports beef and lamb to around 20 international markets, said it saw China as a key target market for its products.

Jack Dobson, executive director, Dunbia Group, recently took part in a UK trade mission to the country, led by Liz Truss, minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He said the trip offered the chance to establish new contacts and developing existing ones, in what is "an extremely important market" for them.

"The importance of the Chinese market cannot by overestimated, particularly for Northern Ireland where the agri-food industry plays such a vital role in our economy. We need local government and business to work together to ensure that we develop and exploit the potential of the Chinese and indeed other markets," he said.

"There is value in every part of the animal but it is critical that we gain access to the Middle East, Africa, the BRIC nations and the US to ensure that we sell every part and ultimately get best value for our 28,000 producers. This is why trade missions to these markets are so important."